Apple 12.1-inch PowerBook G4
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CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: John Morris
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: Smallest, lightest Mac; relatively fast processor and graphics; DVI and analog outputs; excellent keyboard; Bluetooth onboard.
The bad: Few configuration options; Apple AirPort Extreme costs extra; no PC Card slot; no backlit keyboard; runs hot.
The bottom line: Apple's petite PowerBook gets a boost of power and a few new features. Pound for pound, it's the best PowerBook.
The 12-inch PowerBook is the smallest and lightest notebook available from Apple, albeit by a slim margin. It measures 1.2 by 10.9 by 8.6 inches and weighs 4.6 pounds. The more affordable 12-inch iBook is a few tenths of an inch bigger in all dimensions and weighs just less than 5 pounds.
Like most Apple notebooks, the 12-inch PowerBook resists categorization. It is notably heavier than most Windows-based ultraportables, such as the Dell Latitude X300, the HP Compaq nc4000, and the IBM ThinkPad X31, which also carry 12.1-inch displays. The comparison is misleading, however, because the 12-inch PowerBook has an internal media drive, putting it in a similar league as thin-and-lights, which despite the name, are slightly bigger and heavier than ultraportables. No matter how you look at it, the 12-inch PowerBook strikes an excellent balance between portability and features.
The anodized-aluminum case feels very solid and seems to resist scratches better than the old titanium cladding. Some users have reported that the metal case gets toasty, but we didn't find it to be unusually hot. The 12.1-inch display, with a 1,024x768 resolution, opens and closes on a sturdy hinge. You can adjust the display brightness from the keyboard or in System Properties.
On most CNET Labs test, the 12-inch PowerBook delivered the performance boost we expected to see: it was on a par with or slightly faster than the previous 867MHz model on our iTunes and iMovie 2.0 tests. (In iMovie, we convert a large movie file into QuickTime, and in iTunes, we convert a music file into MP3, timing each procedure.) We did not report the results of our Adobe Photoshop 7.0 tests here because we were unable to get reliable scores--a phenomenon we've seen with other recent desktops and notebooks running Mac OS X 10.2.7 or 10.2.8. Even when we upgraded to Panther (10.3), the 12-inch PowerBook's scores were slower than we anticipated, especially on filters such as Despeckle, Lighting Effects, and Sharpen Edges. We're investigating this with Apple, but until we get to the bottom of it, we'll set aside the Photoshop 7.0 tests.
Performance analysis written by CNET Labs assistant lab manager Eric Franklin. System configurations:Apple PowerBook G4 867MHz Apple PowerBook G4 1GHz The 12-inch PowerBook provides 2.4 hours of uninterrupted DVD-playing power--slightly less than the previous 867MHz model, which lasted 2.6 hours. Each system has the same 47WHr battery, so the difference is most likely due to the newer PowerBook's faster, more power-consuming G4 processor. The 12-inch PowerBook won't get you through The Fellowship of the Ring, but it should have enough juice to handle most movies from opening credits to the final frame. To measure battery life on notebooks running Mac OS X, CNET Labs plays a DVD movie in full-screen mode with the sound on.
Performance analysis written by CNET Labs assistant lab manager Eric Franklin. System configurations:Apple PowerBook G4 867MHz Apple PowerBook G4 1GHz Apple offers a somewhat stingy, one-year warranty on the 12-inch PowerBook's parts and labor, and the free telephone support lasts only a disappointing 90 days. Thankfully, you can extend the warranty to three years for $349; this plan is worthwhile if you tote your PowerBook around often, which is likely with this model. Apple does, however, put resources into self-help. The PowerBook comes with an Apple Hardware Test CD to help diagnose hardware problems, and Apple's Web site includes an extensive knowledge base and a large discussion board. The 120-page, paper manual provides good information on connecting to the Internet and to peripherals, adding memory, and replacing the battery, and it includes various troubleshooting topics. To find out more about how this product's warranty really stacks up and what you should look for in terms of service and support, take a look at CNET's hardware warranty explainer. Hide ReviewCompare to other laptopsCompare selectedUser ReviewsSee all user reviewsMost Helpful User Reviewstars 3 of 3 users found this review helpful "dual user review" By minesgeekPros size - portability, power, durability,interface, options, asthetic, do i dare say sexy? Cons price, size - you need to make sure that 12" is enough screen or have enough $$ for extra monitor when at home Summary This is my first mac after a long line of pc's i have built. I needed a laptop, I had the student discount, an ipod and I was intrigued to use OS X. After ensuring ease of networking capability with windows and programs I love (adobe, office, etc), I ... Expand full review Most Recent User Reviews (Showing 2 of 110 reviews)SpecificationsSee full specsQuick Specs
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